Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of scarcity in economics?

Accepted Answer

Scarcity means that resources are limited and cannot satisfy all human wants.

Question 2

Apple designs its iPhones in the United States but assembles them in China. Which economic concept does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Trade-offs due to scarcity of resources.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of an economic model?

Accepted Answer

A simplified diagram showing the relationship between price and quantity demanded.

Question 4

Suppose a government increases funding for space exploration. What is the opportunity cost of this decision?

Accepted Answer

The value of the next best alternative forgone, such as other research projects.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is an example of positive analysis?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the minimum wage will lead to higher unemployment among teenagers.

Question 6

A firm is deciding whether to hire more workers or invest in machines. Which concept is most relevant to this decision?

Accepted Answer

Marginal analysis, comparing marginal cost and marginal benefit.

Question 7

Which formula represents the condition for allocative efficiency in a market economy?

Accepted Answer

$MB = MC$

Question 8

A Congressional bill proposes taxing firms for the amount of government assistance their workers receive. What unintended consequence might occur according to economic reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Firms may avoid hiring workers who are eligible for government assistance.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes voluntary exchange?

Accepted Answer

A transaction in which both the buyer and seller are made better off.

Question 10

Which type of economy relies primarily on the interaction of households and firms in markets to allocate resources?

Accepted Answer

Market economy.

Question 11

If a government increases taxes to fund welfare programs, which trade-off is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency may decrease, but equity may increase.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT an assumption typically made in economic models?

Accepted Answer

All individuals have perfect information about every market.

Question 13

Which of the following is a measurable economic variable?

Accepted Answer

The number of people employed in manufacturing.

Question 14

Suppose a music producer can use either a great singer with standard techniques or a mediocre singer with Auto-Tune. What does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Different methods can be used to produce the same good.

Question 15

Which of the following is a normative statement?

Accepted Answer

The government should provide free healthcare to all citizens.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why market economies tend to be more efficient than centrally planned economies?

Accepted Answer

Competition and voluntary exchange lead to productive and allocative efficiency.

Question 17

If the marginal benefit of watching an extra hour of TV is less than the marginal cost, what should a rational person do?

Accepted Answer

Not watch the extra hour of TV.

Question 18

Which of the following is a key difference between microeconomics and macroeconomics?

Accepted Answer

Microeconomics studies individual households and firms, while macroeconomics studies the economy as a whole.

Question 19

Which step is NOT part of the process of using an economic model?

Accepted Answer

Ignore data that contradicts the model.

Question 20

A market outcome ignores the desires of people not involved in the transaction, such as pollution affecting nearby residents. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

A market failure due to externalities.

Microeconomics Chapter 1: Foundations and Models

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